News

KTSM AND SUN BOWL ASSOCIATION TO PRODUCE A VIRTUAL PARADE August 28, 2020

EL PASO, Texas – With the current situation of the Pandemic, the Sun Bowl Association has come up with a way to continue the 80-plus-year tradition of the Oscar Leeser’s Hyundai of El Paso Sun Bowl Parade, which runs on Thanksgiving morning. The 84th edition of the Oscar Leeser’s Hyundai of El Paso Sun Bowl Parade will be a “virtual parade” and will air on KTSM as well as on KTSM.com at 10 a.m. (MT) on Thanksgiving Day.

KTSM has partnered with the Sun Bowl Association to televise the annual parade for over 40 years and is excited to bring the family tradition to the homes of El Paso and beyond. Oscar Leeser and Hyundai of El Paso are excited to help continue the tradition by once again providing financial support.

Oscar Leeser said, “I consider the Sun Bowl parade an iconic El Paso event. I remember it as a kid and always loved it. This year, with COVID-19 most parades across the country have been cancelled. I’m making sure the Sun Bowl Parade tradition continues by sponsoring the first ever Oscar Leeser‘s Hyundai Of El Paso‘s Virtual Parade, so our kids and families will get to enjoy it in safety… it’s worth every penny.”

Oscar Leeser’s Hyundai of El Paso became the title sponsor in 2019 after being the title sponsor the Sun Bowl football game for 10 years.

The theme for the 2020 parade is “Fan Favorites” and will feature units that will be invited from past parades. This year will be by invitation only for all parade units due to the limited time available on the broadcast. Units will include marching bands, floats and specialty units like Mariachis, Six Gun Shady Ladies, Sherriff’s Posse and the Shriners.
The Sun Bowl Association thanks KTSM and its Vice President and General Manager, David Candelaria for the continued support and loyalty to the community.

“Due to the uncertainty with COVID, we want to give the El Paso community something to look forward to and continue an 84-year-old El Paso tradition,” said Sun Bowl Association President Natalia Flores. “The parade will go on for all to view in the comfort of their own homes. Thanks to Oscar Leeser and KTSM that will help make this a reality.”

Quote from David Candelaira
“The Thanksgiving Day Parade has long fostered a sense community connection so often centered on in-person events, especially in El Paso. This year is obviously not like any year in the past not by a long shot. In light of the corona virus pandemic, traveling and getting together are not options for many of our friends and family. This should not get in the way of our annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. KTSM has been broadcasting the parade live since 1978. This year we are still going to broadcast the parade but with a different twist. We will be doing the first virtual Thanksgiving Day Parade ever. We feel that the show must go on with the long-standing tradition that our community really enjoys. We got together Bernie Olivas and the Terrific Sun Bowl Association and came together on this plan. Stay tuned to perhaps the most viewed parade in our history Nov. 26, 2020.”

About the Oscar Leeser’s Hyundai of El Paso Sun Bowl Parade
The El Paso Downtown Lions Club organized the Parade in 1935. The parade was held on New Year’s Day from 1936 until 1978 when the event was rescheduled for Thanksgiving Day. The holiday pageant is planned, coordinated and produced by volunteer efforts and draws an annual crowd of over 250,000 spectators. The Sun Bowl Parade is the largest community event in the West Texas, New Mexico and Mexico area and brings together service clubs and civic organizations as well as all sectors of business and industries within the community.

WHAT: 84th Annual Oscar Leeser’s Hyundai of El Paso Sun Bowl ‘Virtual’ Parade
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26, 2020)
WHERE: KTSM-TV (Channel 9)/simulcast on KTSM.com (in-case you miss it: view it the next day online at www.sunbowl.org)
TIME: 10 a.m. (MT)